French Chateau [id: 1135]

Location: Queille
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Country: France
Sleeps: 16 adults , 10 children
8 bedrooms
6 bath/shower rooms [3 ensuite]
Swimming pool
Maid service once a week

Property Description

Sheltered by wooded foothills but looking out to the Pyrenees a few miles south, the Château lies on a rock cliff which falls sheer to the River Touyre below. The river runs almost 360° around the rock, creating a 'presqu'ile' of the property and its garden.

Although secluded, local towns of Mirepoix and Lavelanet are both within 15 minutes.

The surrounding area is famous for its beauty, its architecture and for its Cathar history. All the Cathar castles (Montségur, Rocquesfixade, Peyrpeteuse, Puilarens, Quillan etc ) are within an hour or so.

The house has an interesting history. It is one of the first recorded settlements in Languedoc and was a Cathar refuge in its time. An 11th Century chapel and the remains of an ancient forge, both within the grounds, provide impressive evidence of earlier importance and grandeur. Queille was the principal source of supplies to Montségur during its seige in 1244.

Plenty of walking, riding and skiing is available nearby, and there is lake sailing 10 minutes away, with the coast just an hour's drive.

There are plenty of markets to visit in the surrounding villages. The best is in Mirepoix, on Monday mornings. There is a smaller market in Mirepoix on Thursday mornings. There is a market in Lavelanet on Fridays.

During July and August, there is a street party each Friday evening in the village of Léran.

Parties of 14 adults or 20 or so with children can easily be accommodated. But the place is equally comfortable, spacious and peaceful with just one or two couples.

A caretaker, with a dog and some cats, lives on the premises year round and he will be happy to do cleaning.

Inside the Property

The house comprises two adjacent, connected buildings: the core of the old house and a newer wing. Both have been completely renovated and restored.  There is also a huge dormitory.

On the Ground Floor of the main house there is a very large kitchen/dining room (11 x 11 sqm) with an enormous open fireplace and a pantry, a small library and an elegant saloon. There are stone or terracotta-tiled floors throughout and ceilings both on this floor and upstairs are at least 3 metres high.

Stone stairs lead up to a magnificent bedroom suite and its own bathroom and one other small twin bedroom. Continuing up more stairs, there is an enormous (11 x 30 sqm) room, set out as a children's dormitory (with a ping pong table).

The newer wing contains 3 double bedrooms and 1 twin bedroom, along with 2 bathrooms, a large double height music room on the First Floor, and two studies and a spacious gallery on the Second Floor, with a full size snooker table.

There is a laundry room beneath the stairs in the newer wing.  x2 Washing Machines and x2 Dishwashers. 

The house is fully furnished in a clean, simple and uncluttered matter.

Outside the Property

Outside a very dramatic swimming pool sits on the cliff's edge. There is a pool house with a summer kitchen, BBQ etc and a shower.

The garden falls over 4 terraces of flowers, paths and a waterfall into beautiful surrounding parkland with the 11th century chapel, a ruined medieval forge, a cemetery and numerous walks through woods, up hills, by the river. 

Prices...

Booking & Payment Info

A down payment of £1,000 or 20% of the total price (total price to include rental fee for period of booking plus a returnable damage deposit of £1,000), whichever is higher, is payable with 7 days of the booking being confirmed.

The remaining 80% of the total price is payable no later than 1 calendar month prior to the date of arrival. This amount is exclusive of any specific insurance the renter may require and supplementary charges.

Supplementary charges include insurance, cleaning, tourism taxes and other costs resulting from special requests made by the renter, such as extra cleaning, baby sitting, car hire etc.

At the end of the stay, the damage deposit shall be returned less deductions made for damage repair or replacement and the costs of unreasonable cleaning, if any. If any deductions are made, an itemised account shall be provided to the renter.

Check in shall begin at 16.00 on the first day shown on the booking form and end at 10.00am on the last day shown on the booking form.

The number of people residing in the property shall not exceed that shown on the booking form.

The renter shall buy and replace as necessary elements of everyday usage, such as the replacement of cleaning materials, washing machine powders etc, loo paper, batteries etc.

A cook maybe arranged, at an extra charge, if required.

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Contact:
Alexandra Newman

Or Call:
T: +44 [0]845 638 1408
M: +44 [0]7900 503778

Gallery click to view image